Robot-controlled Magnet-Assisted Capsule Endoscopy

In the researchers' words

Examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and duodenum) involves passing a flexible tubular endoscope through the mouth into the stomach. It is commonly performed to identify the cause of abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhoea and anaemia. As it is an invasive and uncomfortable test, it is usually performed under general anaesthetic in children. However, children and their parents worry about the nature of the procedure which does incur a small risk of both the anaesthetic and the endoscopy. A capsule endoscope is a large pill-sized device containing a battery powered camera which can be swallowed. It was first devised to examine the small bowel (which begins with the duodenum and ends in the colon or large bowel) which is difficult to reach with conventional endoscopes and has been used in children aged over eight years since at least 2005. It is extremely well tolerated. However, it does not provide a comprehensive view of the whole surface area of the stomach which has a convoluted shape, large volume and is collapsed in the fasted state. Recent research in adults shows that a capsule can be steered around a water-filled stomach using two joysticks to control the polarity and distance of an external robot magnet from the patient. This is much better tolerated and appears to be almost as good a diagnostic tool as conventional endoscopy. It has…